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Is Lexapro working for me?

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Posted 8/3/2015 5:00 PM (GMT 0)
I have been on Lexapro for almost 9 weeks now. I am going through the pros and cons of being on the medication and I want to share my experiences on it. Would also like recommendations on whether or not I should continue, change or increase my dose.

Started 5 mg of Lexapro on June 3, 2015. I felt immediate relief of anxiety. I had a great week and a half being anxiety free. My anxiety returned and I visited my doctor and she raised the dose up to 7.5mg.

I again felt relief after increasing the dose to 7.5mg. I had some anxiety but I could face it and fight it. A few weeks later I felt like the med pooped out again. The anxiety returned and I was suffering. The doctor increased the dose to 10mg.

I have now been on 10mg since July 13th. I have days where I feel ok. I have days where I am fighting to stop myself from going into a serious anxiety episode. It's been very up and down still. If it wasn't for my positive attitude towards fighting this and having previous experiences with anxiety I might be stuck in bed in a bad anxious state.

The last medication I took was Celexa. I have been told that Celexa and Lexapro are almost the same. I had great results with Celexa. I definitely didn't have to fight this hard to hold off anxiety. It seemed a lot easier the last time on Celexa. I do have some good days on Lexapro. I would say I am still fighting more than the medication is. I talked with my doctor earlier and she talked about increasing the dose again. I told her I would take some time and think about it. I have heard that taking the same AD sometimes doesn't work the second time around. Maybe this is the case? Are Lexapro and Celexa too closely related?

What does everyone think I should do?

Should I try a new AD?
Should I increase the dose?
Should I stay on this a little longer and see where things go?
Posted 8/3/2015 6:05 PM (GMT 0)
DS,

Scrubbing all the work you have done so far is tough to face I would think...as discontinuing and starting up again on a whole new Rx is a big undertaking...so that is a last resort I think...

Increasing is a possibility, as you have room to go up, and maybe you have just not reached your therepeutic dose yet? Do you remember what that was for your Celexa, and can you do the conversion between the two meds? (IDK what that is, but your doctor/pharmacist can tell you the comparable doses)

Finally, have you considered or asked about a possible add on such as Deplin? Enhancers are not always offered, but you can ask your doctor about this possibility...

Wishing you the best...let us know how you plan to proceed, and we will be here to support you!

S.C.
Posted 8/3/2015 6:24 PM (GMT 0)
I am just thinking to myself should I have to be fighting so hard while on a med? I just remember having less of a fight the last time I was on Celexa. I had a lot more confidence in that med and that is was working for me and actually doing something. I am definitely better, but should I still be fighting?
Posted 8/3/2015 6:44 PM (GMT 0)
Hi DS

I agree with your doctor that an increase to say 15mg would be a good option before you decide to try a new AD which can be disruptive.

Lexapro is the newer version of Celexa and is much stronger which is why the max dose is 20mg it is imo a very good AD and I found it very activating and did get increased anxiety to begin with but this settled after a couple of months.

It's important to remember that taking an AD is not a cure all they will only help ease your symptoms so it is a good idea to do some therapy such as CBT and look into self help techniques which are much more effective at managing your anxiety.

Hibee
Posted 8/3/2015 7:21 PM (GMT 0)
Danielskully

I am currently on celexa. Been on it do too many years that I thinky body is just use to it and won't help me anymore. I just increased my meds to 30mg of celexa. Giving it a couple of months before I decide to change. I read good reviews on lexapro but ready what everyone is going through I think may not change to that.
Posted 8/4/2015 10:00 AM (GMT 0)
Does the time period for effectiveness of the med count on increases? I did only get to 10mg on July 13th. Which would be 3 weeks and I day since I increased. Is this a long enough period?
Posted 8/4/2015 4:37 PM (GMT 0)
An increase is not the same as a start up from zero of course...but yes, you do need time to adjust to each increase!

Everyone is different, and every Rx experience can be different...

I would talk to your doctor, continue to use your coping skills...and see what the next couple of weeks brings.

With encouragement,

S.C.
Posted 8/5/2015 5:49 PM (GMT 0)
I have had 2 days without any anxiety. This is my biggest issue right now. I am so up and down lol. I have a doctors appointment on Friday and will speak with her all about this. Hoping this up lasts and doesn't go away.
Posted 8/5/2015 5:52 PM (GMT 0)
I have taken Lexapro for years and started at 10mg, but I'm at 20mg now and feel that's a great dose. Ask about that; it may be what you need.

Xanax is also a good secondary drug as that's immediate but short-term relief, while Lexapro builds into your system for long-term relief. After a while, you won't need Xanax because the Lexapro is working.
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